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February 28th - Dave Haysom - BWYA
Bronze and Sunflower
by Cao Wenxuan (translated by Helen Wang) - released March 19th
A beautifully written, timeless tale by bestselling Chinese author Cao Wenxuan. When Sunflower, a young city girl, moves to the countryside, she grows to love the reed marsh lands – the endlessly flowing river, the friendly buffalo with their strong backs and shiny round heads, the sky that stretches on and on in its vastness. However, the days are long, and the little girl is lonely. Then she meets Bronze, who, unable to speak, is ostracized by the other village boys. Soon the pair are inseparable, and when Bronze’s family agree to take Sunflower in, it seems that fate has brought him the sister he has always longed for. But life in Damaidi is hard, and Bronze’s family can barely afford to feed themselves. Will the city girl be able to stay in this place where she has finally found happiness? A classic, heartwarming tale set to the backdrop of the Chinese cultural revolution, with the timeless feels of Eva Ibbotson's Journey to the River Sea. Cao Wenxuan is one of China's most important children's writers and is widely considered the country's most subtle and philosophical, often referred to as China's very own Hans Christian Andersen. He is a professor of Chinese literature at Peking University, and has in turn taught some of China's best young writers. Many of his books have been bestsellers, including Thatched Cottage and Red Gourd, and his work has been translated into French, Russian, Japanese, Korean and English. Cao has won several of China's most prestigious awards for children's literature, including the Song Qingling and Bing Xin prizes.
Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece's class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends.
Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in school--in the hallway...in the teacher's lounge...in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, Listener for All. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it's just another way of feeling different... and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most, a true friend?
This funny perceptive graphic novel memoir about growing up hearing impaired is also an unforgettable book about growing up, and all the super and super embarrassing moments along the way. (less)
El Deafo by Cece Bell — Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, ListsStarting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece's cl...Read more...
I'm buried in books. About 30 to be exact. Err... about and exact contradict each other. Oh well. Just wind me up for the holidays and watch me SPIN. El Deafo was on my return-pile-so-other-children-can-read-it-over-the-holiday stack. Then I made the mistake of peeking at the first page. Suddenly I'm at page 20 thinking... uh-oh, I won't be able to put this down. I'm a reading junkie. What can I say? A snatch of reading here and there before finishing off this terrific graphic novel on the treadmill in the evening made for a satisfying day. Four-year-old Cece gets meningitis and goes deaf. Hearing aids make her feel like Spock at school and while she adjusts to them she is worried she won't ever have a friend that sees past them to her true self. This author's biography gives a unique look at a deaf person's perspective of how others treat people that are deaf and challenges faced in everyday life. The mix of humor, drama, and an uncommon topic in children's books make this a must for your library.
Her first friend is bossy and possessive, but Cece likes that she doesn't care that she has a hearing aid. Her next friend talks loud and slow to her making an issue out of her deafness. Her third friend is "just right" and never even mentions her hearing aid, treating her like a true friend. When an accident happens her true friend freaks out and it takes over a year for the two to reconcile. Later when she does figure out a way to make her hearing aid "cool" with the kids in class, it is a freeing moment for her where the reader is cheering along with her classmates. Make sure you read the author's note at the end where Cece explains how deaf people embrace their deafness and that there is no right or wrong way. Last year, Vince Vawter of "Paperboy" said that his "was a story that needed to be told." Cece Bell could say the same thing. It is not only worth telling, it is worth hearing.
February 12, 2015 - Nadine, ISB Threatened by Eliot Schrefer c2014 - Adventure
This is an adventure story that takes place in the jungles of Gabon. Luc, a young AIDS orphan, lives in the city under the harsh control of Monsieur Tatagani, a Dickensian character. Luc is rescued by Professor Abdul Mohammed, ostensibly a scientist, and accompanies him and his monkey, Omar, to the jungle to study chimpanzees. Life for all of the characters, animal and human, is threatened by the physical nature of the jungle, disease, wild animals, or nefarious people. When the professor suddenly disappears, Luc takes on the chimp study, living a Tarzan-like existence and adopting the chimps as his family. Mature teens and adults will find the characters irresistible, and enjoy the drama and poignancy of Luc's experiences.
The witch's boy by Kelly regain Barnhill c2014 - adventure/fantasy
Ned’s parents kept him safe at home after the accident that led to his brother drowning. But he is unknowingly burdened by his brother’s soul, which his mother (a village healer) magically stitched to his chest following the disaster. Ned knows little about the ancient magic his family is sworn to protect, but when the magic becomes physically bound to him, he must bear that burden while fending off villains who covet its power. Aiding him are new allies: a wolf and another strong-willed, independent child, Áine, the daughter of the Bandit King, who deals with her own troubles with equal determination. The narrative shifts frequently among characters and subplots, and the story’s intricate connections are gradually revealed as the story moves forward. While the story’s broad, complex canvas seems to diffuse the novel’s focus, Barnhill writes well, with vivid characters, well-turned phrases, and imaginative story lines, and many readers will respond to the two courageous protagonists and their unusual adventures.
Stay where you are and then leave by John Boyne c2014 - historical fiction
The First World War was supposed to be over by Christmas, and Alfie's father would then return home. When his dad's letters stop coming, Alfie knows something is amiss. To help support the family, Alfie becomes a shoe shiner at King's Cross Station where he comes across Dr. Ridgewell who knows about his father. Alfie discovers his dad's exact whereabouts, and begins a covert mission to bring him back safely. This is a poignant story told from Alfie's perspective. As the reader follows Alfie into the military hospital, Boyne skillfully describes his first encounter with vivid images of the wounded soldiers while also employing nearly all of the senses. Despite successfully retrieving his father, Alfie is unprepared for the aftermath of war and its psychological impact.
February 4th, 2015 - Karen- HISB Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell
Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and shortlisted for Carnegie 2014.
Everyone thinks that Sophie is an orphan. True, there were no other recorded female survivors from the shipwreck which left baby Sophie floating in the English Channel in a cello case, but Sophie remembers seeing her mother wave for help. Her guardian tells her it is almost impossible that her mother is still alive, but that means still possible. You should never ignore a possible. So when the Welfare Agency writes to her guardian threatening to send Sophie to an orphanage, she takes matters into her own hands and flees to Paris to look for her mother, starting with the only clue she has - the address of the cello maker. Evading the French authorities, she meets Matteo and his network of rooftoppers - urchins who live in the sky. Together they scour the city for Sophie's mother before she is caught and sent back to London, and most importantly before she loses hope.
Feb. 3, 2015 by Tim (ISB) The Glass Sentence, Mapmakers Trilogy #1 by S.E. Grove c. 2014 (fantasy/adventure)
Gr. 6-up (SLJ); Gr. 6-9 (Booklist) "In the late eighteenth century, a great temporal disruption plunged the world into chaos—some continents remained in the present, while others were thrust into the distant past, a far future, or an ever-shifting mélange of ages. A century after the disruption, Sophie, who lives with her famed mapmaker uncle Shadrack, arrives home one day to find their house ransacked, her uncle kidnapped, and their secret map room—housing mystical maps containing memories—emptied of all of its treasures." And so begins this fast-paced race against time to rescue Sophie's uncle and prevent environmental catastrophe, where maps and one's wits are the key to rescuing Sophie's uncle and saving the world from environmental catastrophe. Overall appeal with strong female character, fast pace, and interesting moral dilemmas. In addition, will strongly appeal to fans of Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy and similar books.
Feb 3, 2015 El Deafo by Cece Bell (Suggested by our Library Technician, Ellen. On the cusp between Middle & Older) From School Library Journal
Gr 2–6—Cece loses her hearing from spinal meningitis, and takes readers through the arduous journey of learning to lip read and decipher the noise of her hearing aid, with the goal of finding a true friend. This warmly and humorously illustrated full-color graphic novel set in the suburban '70s has all the gripping characters and inflated melodrama of late childhood: a crush on a neighborhood boy, the bossy friend, the too-sensitive-to-her-Deafness friend, and the perfect friend, scared away. The characters are all rabbits. The antics of her hearing aid connected to a FM unit (an amplifier the teacher wears) are spectacularly funny. When Cece's teacher leaves the FM unit on, Cece hears everything: bathroom visits, even teacher lounge improprieties It is her superpower. She deems herself El Deafo! inspired in part by a bullied Deaf child featured in an Afterschool Special. Cece fearlessly fantasizes retaliations. Nevertheless, she rejects ASL because it makes visible what she is trying to hide. She ventures, "Who cares what everyone thinks!" But she does care. She loathes the designation "special," and wants to pass for hearing. Bell tells it all: the joy of removing her hearing aid in summer, the troubles watching the TV when the actor turns his back, and the agony of slumber party chats in the dark. Included is an honest and revealing afterword, which addresses the author's early decision not to learn ASL, her more mature appreciation for the language, and her adage that, "Our differences are our superpowers."—Sara Lissa Paulson, The American Sign Language and English Lower School, New York City Review
'A serious subject treated with warmth and humour.' Little London magazine "Full of warmth, humor, and superpowered strength, El Deafo is an absolute treat." Raina Telgemeier, author of Smile "Read El Deafo for the giggles, for the challenges, for the universal life experiences, and for the opportunity to be changed, even just a little. And for those readers who, like Cece, discover ways to turn the things the world calls weakness into the qualities they own as strengths, make sure to have a couple of capes on hand." Matthew C. Winner, The Busy Librarian 'It's an honest and rather sweet tale of a girl coming to terms with her disability, and as such the kind of story that will strike a chord with any child who has felt ostracised or different. El Deafo is heartfelt, eye-opening, funny and beautifully drawn.' The Financial Times 'Inspiring and honest, this is a wonderful graphic novel.' Book of the Week in We Love This Book and The Bookseller
Feb 3, 2015 - Rachella, WAB Counting by 7s by Holly Sloan (Aug 2013) From**Booklist** *Starred Review* In a voice that is frank, charming, and delightfully odd, Willow Chance narrates the strange and heartbreaking circumstances that lead her to find an offbeat, patchwork quilt of a family. As an adopted, self-identified “person of color,” precocious genius Willow unabashedly knows that she is different, but her parents love and support her idiosyncrasies, such as wearing her gardening outfit to school, her preoccupation with disease, her anthropological curiosity about her peers, and her obsession with the number seven. That self-assuredness shines through Willow’s narrative and becomes crucial to her survival after the unexpected death of her parents, which makes Willow a prime candidate for life in a group home—an environment that could be disastrous for an unusual child like her. Luckily, she finds new friends who are compelled to protect her: Mai and her family, who live in the garage behind the nail salon they own, and Willow’s slouch of a guidance counselor, Dell. Sloan (I’ll Be There, 2011) has masterfully created a graceful, meaningful tale featuring a cast of charming, well-rounded characters who learn sweet—but never cloying—lessons about resourcefulness, community, and true resilience in the face of loss. Grades 7-10. --Sarah Hunter From School Library Journal Gr 5-8–Twelve-year-old Willow Chase lived with her adoptive parents in Bakersfield, California. There in the midst of the high desert, she grew a garden in her backyard, her sanctuary. She was excited about starting a new school, hoping this time she might fit in, might find a friend. Willow had been identified in preschool as highly gifted, most of the time causing confusion and feelings of ineptness in her teachers. Now at her new school she is accused of cheating because no one has ever finished the state proficiency test in just 17 minutes, let alone gotten a perfect score. Her reward is behavioral counseling with Dell Duke, an ineffectual counselor with organizational and social issues of his own. She does make a friend when Mai Nguyen brings her brother, Quang-ha, to his appointment, and their lives begin to intertwine when Willow's parents are killed in an auto accident. For the second time in her life she is an orphan, forced to find a “new normal.” She is taken in temporarily by Mai's mother, who must stay ahead of Social Services. While Willow sees herself as just an observer, trying to figure out the social norms of regular family life, she is actually a catalyst for change, bringing together unsuspecting people and changing their lives forever. The narration cleverly shifts among characters as the story evolves. Willow's philosophical and intellectual observations contrast with Quang-ha's typical teenage boy obsessions and the struggles of a Vietnamese family fighting to live above the poverty level. Willow's story is one of renewal, and her journey of rebuilding the ties that unite people as a family will stay in readers' hearts long after the last page.–Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH January 31, 2015 - Karla, YCIS Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby c2012 - historical fiction
Set in middle America during the Great Depression and the beginnings of World War II, this is the story of an orphan girl, Portia, who ends up at a home for wayward girls. It sounds like it could be depressing, but is anything, but. She runs away and joins the traveling carnival freak show. She is searching for her missing father. Chapters are written from differing perspectives, including some members of the freak show. Portia learns about life and family. Great for teaching empathy and diversity. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/hannah-barnaby/wonder-show/ - Kirkus starred review January 31, 2015 - Karla, YCIS Earth Girl by Janet Edwards c2013 - science fiction
800 years in the future, this is both an action packed and interpersonal relationship packed story. Well written with characters the reader can care about, even when they are making foolish decisions. An interesting possible future. Takes on issues of prejudice, but mainly just a good read. It isn't often that archaeology is depicted in fiction. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/hannah-barnaby/wonder-show/ Kirkus starred review January 19, 2015 - Tim, ISB The Luck Uglies by Paul Durham c2014 - adventure/fantasy fiction
Just when you thought the adventure/fantasy genre had been exhausted, along come The Luck Uglies. "Eleven-year-old Rye O'Chanter and her two friends delve into the secret lore of their village when mysterious creatures of legend reappear on the night of the Black Moon, leading them to the notorious secret society, the Luck Uglies."--Provided by publisher.
This book is well-written, fast paced, with a cast of likable characters and a storyline that will engage middle school kids from the beginning. Booklist and Kirkus starred so I'm not the only fan of this book! January 16, 2015 - Nadine, ISB Eyes Wide Open by Paul Fleischman c2014 - non-ficion This remarkable book offers young people the tools they need to become informed, responsible global citizens. While it opens with a tale of Fleischman finding dead bees in his driveway, the discussion quickly broadens to consider the application of critical thinking skills to environmental issues. Rather than advising readers to take specific actions, Fleischman tells them how to evaluate information on topics such as climate change and encourages them to take action by charting a course that seems reasonable. He also discusses techniques to sway public opinion, such as sowing doubt, discrediting scientific studies, and hiding corporate funding of organizations promoting, for example, fossil fuels. The cascade of facts, observations, informed commentary, and sage advice may occasionally overwhelm. On the whole, though, thoughtful readers will appreciate this insightful, refreshing title’s broad scope, use of specific examples, and the many references to related books, documentaries, and online articles, lectures, and interviews. The appended How to Weigh Information section is particularly excellent. A Newbery Medal–winning writer, Fleischman notes that he is no trained scientist, but his exceptional ability to organize the information here and present it articulately makes him a notable citizen scientist. December 11, 2014 - Nadine Rosevear, ISB Hive Mind by Timothy Bradley c2014 - science fiction Sidney Jamison was bored. Bored with a capital B. Studying the life cycle of frogs? Boring. Using commas? Boring. Being popular? Boring. But everything changed when Sidney was invited to attend Sci Hi, where students play Zero-G dodgeball and create eyeball-eating zombies. This year, the students at Sci Hi are studying Colony Collapse Disorder, which is killing millions of bees around the world. When Sidney and his friends find themselves inside a beehive, they must use everything they've learned to save the bees - and themselves - from a monster-sized hornet
The Bunker Diary by Kevin Brooks c2013 - realistic fiction
I can't believe I fell for it. It was still dark when I woke up this morning. As soon as my eyes opened I knew where I was.A low-ceilinged rectangular building made entirely of whitewashed concrete. There are six little rooms along the main corridor. There are no windows. No doors. The lift is the only way in or out. What's he going to do to me?What am I going to do?If I'm right, the lift will come down in five minutes. It did. Only this time it wasn't empty . . . Critical acclaim for Kevin Brooks:'A compulsive, atmospheric mystery.' Sunday Times'A masterly writer.' Mail on Sunday'Hugely readable . . . confoundedly gripping.' Independent on Sunday The Compound by S.A Bodeen c2013 - science fiction Eli and his family lived in an underground shelter they called the Compound for six years. They thought they were the only survivors of a nuclear attack, but when Eli learned that it was all a twisted experiment orchestrated by his tech-visionary father, he broke the family out. His father died trying to keep them imprisoned. Now, the family must readjust to life in the real world. Their ordeal has made them so famous, they must stay in hiding--everyone from fatalists preparing for doomsday to the tabloid media wants a piece of them. Even worse, their father's former adviser continues to control the company Eli and his twin brother are the heirs of. As Eli tries to determine who the family can trust, he learns the nightmare of the Compound--and his father's experiment--might not be over. The Fallout is S.A. Bodeen's highly anticipated, thrilling sequel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Jinxby Sage Blackwood c2013 - fantasy
In the Urwald, you don't step off the path. Trolls, werewolves, and butter churn-riding witches lurk amid the clawing branches, eager to swoop up the unwary. Jinx has always feared leaving the path--then he meets the wizard Simon Magus. Jinx knows that wizards are evil. But Simon's kitchen is cozy, and he seems cranky rather than wicked. Staying with him appears to be Jinx's safest, and perhaps only, option. As Jinx's curiosity about magic grows, he learns to listen to the trees as closely as he does to Simon's unusual visitors. The more Jinx discovers, the more determined he becomes to explore beyond the security of well-trodden paths. But in the Urwald, a little healthy fear is never out of place, for magic--and magicians--can be as dangerous as the forest. And soon Jinx must decide which is the greater threat. Sage Blackwood introduces a daring new hero for an innovative new world as Jinx is joined by friends, battles enemies, and discovers that life beyond--and even within--the forest is more complex than he can imagine, and that the Urwald itself needs him more than he could ever guess. Soldier Dogby Sam Angus c2013 - historical fiction With his older brother gone to fight in the Great War, and his father prone to sudden rages, 14-year-old Stanley devotes himself to taking care of the family's greyhound and puppies. Until the morning Stanley wakes to find the puppies gone. Determined to find his brother, Stanley runs away to join an increasingly desperate army. Assigned to the experimental War Dog School, Stanley is given a problematic Great Dane named Bones to train. Against all odds, the pair excels, and Stanley is sent to France.But innbsp; Soldier Dog by Sam Angus, the war in France is larger and more brutal than Stanley ever imagined. How can one young boy survive World War I and find his brother with only a dog to help? The Twistrose Keyby Tone Almhjell c2013 - fantasy Something is wrong in the house that Lin's family has rented; Lin is sure of it. The clocks tick too slowly. Frost covers the flowerbed, even in a rain storm. And when a secret key marked "Twistrose" arrives for her, Lin finds a crack in the cellar, a gate to the world of Sylver. This frozen realm is the home of every dead animal who ever loved a child. Lin is overjoyed to be reunited with Rufus, the pet she buried under the rosebush. But together they must find the missing Winter Prince in order to save Sylver from destruction. They are not the only ones hunting for the boy this night. In the dark hides a shadow-lipped man, waiting for the last Winter Prince to be delivered into his hands. Exhilarating suspense and unforgettable characters await the readers of this magical adventure, destined to become a classic. The Screaming Staircaseby Jonathan Stroud c2013 - ghost story/horror A sinister Problem has occurred in London: all nature of ghosts, haunts, spirits, and specters are appearing throughout the city, and they aren't exactly friendly. Only young people have the psychic abilities required to see-and eradicate-these supernatural foes. Many different Psychic Detection Agencies have cropped up to handle the dangerous work, and they are in fierce competition for business. In The Screaming Staircase, the plucky and talented Lucy Carlyle teams up with Anthony Lockwood, the charismatic leader of Lockwood & Co, a small agency that runs independent of any adult supervision. After an assignment leads to both a grisly discovery and a disastrous end, Lucy, Anthony, and their sarcastic colleague, George, are forced to take part in the perilous investigation of Combe Carey Hall, one of the most haunted houses in England. Will Lockwood & Co. survive the Hall's legendary Screaming Staircase and Red Room to see another day? Readers who enjoyed the action, suspense, and humor in Jonathan Stroud's internationally best-selling Bartimaeus books will be delighted to find the same ingredients, combined with deliciously creepy scares, in his thrilling and chilling Lockwood & Co. series. Praise for Screaming Staircase, The "This story will keep you reading late into the night, but you'll want to leave the lights on. Stroud is a genius at inventing an utterly believable world which is very much like ours, but so creepily different. Put The Screaming Staircase on your 'need to read' list!" -Rick Riordan "A pleasure from tip to tail, this is the book you hand the advanced readers that claim they'd rather read Paradise Lost than Harry Potter. Smart as a whip, funny, witty, and honestly frightening at times, Stroud lets loose and gives readers exactly what they want. Ghosts, kids on their own without adult supervision, and loads of delicious cookies." -Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal "Stroud shows his customary flair for blending deadpan humor with thrilling action, and the fiery interplay among the three agents of Lockwood & Co. invigorates the story (along with no shortage of creepy moments)." -Publishers Weekly "Three young ghost trappers take on deadly wraiths and solve an old murder case in the bargain to kick off Stroud's new post-Bartimaeus series. The work is fraught with peril, not only because a ghost's merest touch is generally fatal, but also, as it turns out, none of the three is particularly good at careful planning and preparation. A heartily satisfying string of entertaining near-catastrophes, replete with narrow squeaks and spectral howls." -Kirkus Reviews "...Stroud writes for a younger audience in book one of the Lockwood & Co. series and delivers some chilling scenes along the way." -Booklist
The Alchemyst Warby John Seven c2014 - science fiction When their parents, two temporal researchers who travel through time to document history, are transferred to 16th-century Prague, Dawk and Hype hardly expect to find themselves in the middle of an alchemical mystery. In fact, the new, boring job is meant to be a punishment for Dawk and Hype's bad behavior at their last temporal post. The two teenagers are from the 25th century--how could medieval Prague compare? But when they meet a man who claims he can turn metal into gold, Dawk and Hype find out that Prague holds deeper secrets.
The Key that Swallowed Joey Pigza by Jack Gantos c2014 - humour The fifth and final book in the groundbreaking Joey Pigza series brings the beloved chronicle of this wired, wacky, and wonderful boy to a crescendo of chaos and craziness, as everything goes topsy-turvy for Joey just as he starts to get his feet on the ground. With his dad MIA in the wake of appearance-altering plastic surgery, Joey must give up school to look after his new baby brother and fill in for his mom, who hospitalizes herself to deal with a bad case ofpostpartum blues. As his challenges mount, Joey discovers a key that could unlock the secrets to his father's whereabouts, a mystery that must be solved before Joey can even hope that his broken family might somehow come back together-if only it doesn't pull him apart first.
The Killing Woodsby Lucy Christopher c2014 - mystery Fatal attraction, primal fear, survival in the forest: From the author of the Printz Honor Book STOLEN, the highly anticipated thriller about deadly games played in the dark. Ashlee Parker is dead, and Emily Shepherd's dad is accused of the crime. A former soldier suffering from PTSD, he emerges from the woods carrying the girl's broken body. "Gone," he says, then retreats into silence. What really happened that wild night? Emily knows in her bones that her father is innocent -- isn't he? Before he's convicted, she's got to find out the truth. Does Damon Hilary, Ashlee's charismatic boyfriend, have the answers? Or is he only playing games with her -- the kinds of games that can kill? The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry c2014 - mystery Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy whos owned her heart as long as she can remember--even if he doesnt know it--her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judiths passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last. The Finisher by David Baldacci - fantasy #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci as you've never seen him before. Why would Quentin Herms flee into the Quag? There was nothing in the Quag except certain death. Vega Jane has never left the village of Wormwood. But this isn't unusual -- nobody has ever left the village of Wormwood. At least not until Quentin Herms vanishes into the unknown. Vega knows Quentin didn't just leave -- he was chased. And he's left behind a very dangerous trail of clues that only she can decode. The Quag is a dark forest filled with terrifying beasts and bloodthirsty Outliers. But just as deadly are the threats that exist within the walls of Wormwood. It is a place built on lies, where influential people are willing to kill to keep their secrets. Vega is determined to uncover the truth -- but the closer she gets, the more she risks her life. With The Finisher , master storyteller David Baldacci conjures a thrilling, imaginative world where things are as wrong as wrong can be -- and introduces us to an unforgettable heroine who must think fast, look close, and defy all odds in her fight to do what's right. The Forbidden Stoneby Tony Abbott - Fantasy c2014
Grades 5-8 A secret past can destroy the future It all begins when Wade Kaplan receives a strange, coded email from his uncle Henry, shortly before the old man's sudden and suspicious death. He sets off for Germany to attend the funeral with his father, Roald, and his three friends Darrell, Lily, and Becca, only to discover that Uncle Henry left them yet another baffling message that they suspect is the key to figuring out how and why he died. The message leads to a clue, which sends them to a dark and creepy family tomb. The more clues they discover, the farther they travel down a treacherous path toward an ancient, guarded secret. Soon, they are in a breathless race across the globe, running for their lives as a ruthless shadow organization chases them around every corner. Their only hope of saving themselves--and the world that they know--is to find twelve magical relics from a hidden past that will unlock the Copernicus Legacy. The Forbidden Stone is the beginning of Tony Abbott's epic new series, a thrilling adventure packed with puzzles, intrigue, and action. December 3, 2014 - Nadine Rosevear, ISB I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, c2014 - autobiography/memoir
From Booklist
Grades 5-10. The young reader’s edition of Malala Yousafzai’s 2013 memoir for adults loses none of its power in its transition to a new audience. At times earnest and somber, at others irreverent and playful, the 17-year-old details her experiences as an advocate for education in Pakistan—especially for women—both before and after she became a target of the Taliban. Although her efforts to attend school, and the subsequent attack she endured, make for a powerful story, Yousafzai writes just as vividly about her daily life as a child in Pakistan. As young readers draw parallels between their own lives and the everyday experiences of Yousafzai and her friends, they’ll gain invaluable perspective on a country so often stigmatized by the media. Yousafzai’s fresh, straightforward voice creates an easily read narrative that will introduce a slew of younger readers to both her story and her mission.
How to post a nomination
February 28th - Dave Haysom - BWYA
Bronze and Sunflower
by Cao Wenxuan (translated by Helen Wang) - released March 19th
A beautifully written, timeless tale by bestselling Chinese author Cao Wenxuan. When Sunflower, a young city girl, moves to the countryside, she grows to love the reed marsh lands – the endlessly flowing river, the friendly buffalo with their strong backs and shiny round heads, the sky that stretches on and on in its vastness. However, the days are long, and the little girl is lonely. Then she meets Bronze, who, unable to speak, is ostracized by the other village boys. Soon the pair are inseparable, and when Bronze’s family agree to take Sunflower in, it seems that fate has brought him the sister he has always longed for. But life in Damaidi is hard, and Bronze’s family can barely afford to feed themselves. Will the city girl be able to stay in this place where she has finally found happiness? A classic, heartwarming tale set to the backdrop of the Chinese cultural revolution, with the timeless feels of Eva Ibbotson's Journey to the River Sea.Cao Wenxuan is one of China's most important children's writers and is widely considered the country's most subtle and philosophical, often referred to as China's very own Hans Christian Andersen. He is a professor of Chinese literature at Peking University, and has in turn taught some of China's best young writers. Many of his books have been bestsellers, including Thatched Cottage and Red Gourd, and his work has been translated into French, Russian, Japanese, Korean and English. Cao has won several of China's most prestigious awards for children's literature, including the Song Qingling and Bing Xin prizes.
February 24th- Julie Dotterer- AISG
El Deafo
by Cece Bell (Goodreads Author)Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece's class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends.
Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in school--in the hallway...in the teacher's lounge...in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, Listener for All. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it's just another way of feeling different... and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most, a true friend?
This funny perceptive graphic novel memoir about growing up hearing impaired is also an unforgettable book about growing up, and all the super and super embarrassing moments along the way. (less)
I'm buried in books. About 30 to be exact. Err... about and exact contradict each other. Oh well. Just wind me up for the holidays and watch me SPIN. El Deafo was on my return-pile-so-other-children-can-read-it-over-the-holiday stack. Then I made the mistake of peeking at the first page. Suddenly I'm at page 20 thinking... uh-oh, I won't be able to put this down. I'm a reading junkie. What can I say? A snatch of reading here and there before finishing off this terrific graphic novel on the treadmill in the evening made for a satisfying day. Four-year-old Cece gets meningitis and goes deaf. Hearing aids make her feel like Spock at school and while she adjusts to them she is worried she won't ever have a friend that sees past them to her true self. This author's biography gives a unique look at a deaf person's perspective of how others treat people that are deaf and challenges faced in everyday life. The mix of humor, drama, and an uncommon topic in children's books make this a must for your library.
Her first friend is bossy and possessive, but Cece likes that she doesn't care that she has a hearing aid. Her next friend talks loud and slow to her making an issue out of her deafness. Her third friend is "just right" and never even mentions her hearing aid, treating her like a true friend. When an accident happens her true friend freaks out and it takes over a year for the two to reconcile. Later when she does figure out a way to make her hearing aid "cool" with the kids in class, it is a freeing moment for her where the reader is cheering along with her classmates. Make sure you read the author's note at the end where Cece explains how deaf people embrace their deafness and that there is no right or wrong way. Last year, Vince Vawter of "Paperboy" said that his "was a story that needed to be told." Cece Bell could say the same thing. It is not only worth telling, it is worth hearing.
February 12, 2015 - Nadine, ISB
Threatened by Eliot Schrefer c2014 - Adventure
This is an adventure story that takes place in the jungles of Gabon. Luc, a young AIDS orphan, lives in the city under the harsh control of Monsieur Tatagani, a Dickensian character. Luc is rescued by Professor Abdul Mohammed, ostensibly a scientist, and accompanies him and his monkey, Omar, to the jungle to study chimpanzees. Life for all of the characters, animal and human, is threatened by the physical nature of the jungle, disease, wild animals, or nefarious people. When the professor suddenly disappears, Luc takes on the chimp study, living a Tarzan-like existence and adopting the chimps as his family. Mature teens and adults will find the characters irresistible, and enjoy the drama and poignancy of Luc's experiences.
The witch's boy by Kelly regain Barnhill c2014 - adventure/fantasy
Ned’s parents kept him safe at home after the accident that led to his brother drowning. But he is unknowingly burdened by his brother’s soul, which his mother (a village healer) magically stitched to his chest following the disaster. Ned knows little about the ancient magic his family is sworn to protect, but when the magic becomes physically bound to him, he must bear that burden while fending off villains who covet its power. Aiding him are new allies: a wolf and another strong-willed, independent child, Áine, the daughter of the Bandit King, who deals with her own troubles with equal determination. The narrative shifts frequently among characters and subplots, and the story’s intricate connections are gradually revealed as the story moves forward. While the story’s broad, complex canvas seems to diffuse the novel’s focus, Barnhill writes well, with vivid characters, well-turned phrases, and imaginative story lines, and many readers will respond to the two courageous protagonists and their unusual adventures.
Stay where you are and then leave by John Boyne c2014 - historical fiction
The First World War was supposed to be over by Christmas, and Alfie's father would then return home. When his dad's letters stop coming, Alfie knows something is amiss. To help support the family, Alfie becomes a shoe shiner at King's Cross Station where he comes across Dr. Ridgewell who knows about his father. Alfie discovers his dad's exact whereabouts, and begins a covert mission to bring him back safely. This is a poignant story told from Alfie's perspective. As the reader follows Alfie into the military hospital, Boyne skillfully describes his first encounter with vivid images of the wounded soldiers while also employing nearly all of the senses. Despite successfully retrieving his father, Alfie is unprepared for the aftermath of war and its psychological impact.
February 4th, 2015 - Karen- HISB
Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell
Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and shortlisted for Carnegie 2014.
Everyone thinks that Sophie is an orphan. True, there were no other recorded female survivors from the shipwreck which left baby Sophie floating in the English Channel in a cello case, but Sophie remembers seeing her mother wave for help. Her guardian tells her it is almost impossible that her mother is still alive, but that means still possible. You should never ignore a possible. So when the Welfare Agency writes to her guardian threatening to send Sophie to an orphanage, she takes matters into her own hands and flees to Paris to look for her mother, starting with the only clue she has - the address of the cello maker. Evading the French authorities, she meets Matteo and his network of rooftoppers - urchins who live in the sky. Together they scour the city for Sophie's mother before she is caught and sent back to London, and most importantly before she loses hope.
Feb. 3, 2015 by Tim (ISB)
The Glass Sentence, Mapmakers Trilogy #1 by S.E. Grove c. 2014 (fantasy/adventure)
Gr. 6-up (SLJ); Gr. 6-9 (Booklist)
"In the late eighteenth century, a great temporal disruption plunged the world into chaos—some continents remained in the present, while others were thrust into the distant past, a far future, or an ever-shifting mélange of ages. A century after the disruption, Sophie, who lives with her famed mapmaker uncle Shadrack, arrives home one day to find their house ransacked, her uncle kidnapped, and their secret map room—housing mystical maps containing memories—emptied of all of its treasures." And so begins this fast-paced race against time to rescue Sophie's uncle and prevent environmental catastrophe, where maps and one's wits are the key to rescuing Sophie's uncle and saving the world from environmental catastrophe. Overall appeal with strong female character, fast pace, and interesting moral dilemmas. In addition, will strongly appeal to fans of Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy and similar books.
Feb 3, 2015
El Deafo by Cece Bell (Suggested by our Library Technician, Ellen. On the cusp between Middle & Older)
From School Library Journal
Gr 2–6—Cece loses her hearing from spinal meningitis, and takes readers through the arduous journey of learning to lip read and decipher the noise of her hearing aid, with the goal of finding a true friend. This warmly and humorously illustrated full-color graphic novel set in the suburban '70s has all the gripping characters and inflated melodrama of late childhood: a crush on a neighborhood boy, the bossy friend, the too-sensitive-to-her-Deafness friend, and the perfect friend, scared away. The characters are all rabbits. The antics of her hearing aid connected to a FM unit (an amplifier the teacher wears) are spectacularly funny. When Cece's teacher leaves the FM unit on, Cece hears everything: bathroom visits, even teacher lounge improprieties It is her superpower. She deems herself El Deafo! inspired in part by a bullied Deaf child featured in an Afterschool Special. Cece fearlessly fantasizes retaliations. Nevertheless, she rejects ASL because it makes visible what she is trying to hide. She ventures, "Who cares what everyone thinks!" But she does care. She loathes the designation "special," and wants to pass for hearing. Bell tells it all: the joy of removing her hearing aid in summer, the troubles watching the TV when the actor turns his back, and the agony of slumber party chats in the dark. Included is an honest and revealing afterword, which addresses the author's early decision not to learn ASL, her more mature appreciation for the language, and her adage that, "Our differences are our superpowers."—Sara Lissa Paulson, The American Sign Language and English Lower School, New York City
Review
'A serious subject treated with warmth and humour.' Little London magazine "Full of warmth, humor, and superpowered strength, El Deafo is an absolute treat." Raina Telgemeier, author of Smile "Read El Deafo for the giggles, for the challenges, for the universal life experiences, and for the opportunity to be changed, even just a little. And for those readers who, like Cece, discover ways to turn the things the world calls weakness into the qualities they own as strengths, make sure to have a couple of capes on hand." Matthew C. Winner, The Busy Librarian 'It's an honest and rather sweet tale of a girl coming to terms with her disability, and as such the kind of story that will strike a chord with any child who has felt ostracised or different. El Deafo is heartfelt, eye-opening, funny and beautifully drawn.' The Financial Times 'Inspiring and honest, this is a wonderful graphic novel.' Book of the Week in We Love This Book and The Bookseller
Feb 3, 2015 - Rachella, WAB
Counting by 7s by Holly Sloan (Aug 2013)
From **Booklist**
*Starred Review* In a voice that is frank, charming, and delightfully odd, Willow Chance narrates the strange and heartbreaking circumstances that lead her to find an offbeat, patchwork quilt of a family. As an adopted, self-identified “person of color,” precocious genius Willow unabashedly knows that she is different, but her parents love and support her idiosyncrasies, such as wearing her gardening outfit to school, her preoccupation with disease, her anthropological curiosity about her peers, and her obsession with the number seven. That self-assuredness shines through Willow’s narrative and becomes crucial to her survival after the unexpected death of her parents, which makes Willow a prime candidate for life in a group home—an environment that could be disastrous for an unusual child like her. Luckily, she finds new friends who are compelled to protect her: Mai and her family, who live in the garage behind the nail salon they own, and Willow’s slouch of a guidance counselor, Dell. Sloan (I’ll Be There, 2011) has masterfully created a graceful, meaningful tale featuring a cast of charming, well-rounded characters who learn sweet—but never cloying—lessons about resourcefulness, community, and true resilience in the face of loss. Grades 7-10. --Sarah Hunter
From School Library Journal
Gr 5-8–Twelve-year-old Willow Chase lived with her adoptive parents in Bakersfield, California. There in the midst of the high desert, she grew a garden in her backyard, her sanctuary. She was excited about starting a new school, hoping this time she might fit in, might find a friend. Willow had been identified in preschool as highly gifted, most of the time causing confusion and feelings of ineptness in her teachers. Now at her new school she is accused of cheating because no one has ever finished the state proficiency test in just 17 minutes, let alone gotten a perfect score. Her reward is behavioral counseling with Dell Duke, an ineffectual counselor with organizational and social issues of his own. She does make a friend when Mai Nguyen brings her brother, Quang-ha, to his appointment, and their lives begin to intertwine when Willow's parents are killed in an auto accident. For the second time in her life she is an orphan, forced to find a “new normal.” She is taken in temporarily by Mai's mother, who must stay ahead of Social Services. While Willow sees herself as just an observer, trying to figure out the social norms of regular family life, she is actually a catalyst for change, bringing together unsuspecting people and changing their lives forever. The narration cleverly shifts among characters as the story evolves. Willow's philosophical and intellectual observations contrast with Quang-ha's typical teenage boy obsessions and the struggles of a Vietnamese family fighting to live above the poverty level. Willow's story is one of renewal, and her journey of rebuilding the ties that unite people as a family will stay in readers' hearts long after the last page.–Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH
January 31, 2015 - Karla, YCIS
Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby c2012 - historical fiction
Set in middle America during the Great Depression and the beginnings of World War II, this is the story of an orphan girl, Portia, who ends up at a home for wayward girls. It sounds like it could be depressing, but is anything, but. She runs away and joins the traveling carnival freak show. She is searching for her missing father. Chapters are written from differing perspectives, including some members of the freak show. Portia learns about life and family. Great for teaching empathy and diversity.
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/hannah-barnaby/wonder-show/ - Kirkus starred review
January 31, 2015 - Karla, YCIS
Earth Girl by Janet Edwards c2013 - science fiction
800 years in the future, this is both an action packed and interpersonal relationship packed story. Well written with characters the reader can care about, even when they are making foolish decisions. An interesting possible future. Takes on issues of prejudice, but mainly just a good read. It isn't often that archaeology is depicted in fiction.
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/hannah-barnaby/wonder-show/ Kirkus starred review
January 19, 2015 - Tim, ISB
The Luck Uglies by Paul Durham c2014 - adventure/fantasy fiction
Just when you thought the adventure/fantasy genre had been exhausted, along come The Luck Uglies. "Eleven-year-old Rye O'Chanter and her two friends delve into the secret lore of their village when mysterious creatures of legend reappear on the night of the Black Moon, leading them to the notorious secret society, the Luck Uglies."--Provided by publisher.
This book is well-written, fast paced, with a cast of likable characters and a storyline that will engage middle school kids from the beginning. Booklist and Kirkus starred so I'm not the only fan of this book!
January 16, 2015 - Nadine, ISB
Eyes Wide Open by Paul Fleischman c2014 - non-ficion
This remarkable book offers young people the tools they need to become informed, responsible global citizens. While it opens with a tale of Fleischman finding dead bees in his driveway, the discussion quickly broadens to consider the application of critical thinking skills to environmental issues. Rather than advising readers to take specific actions, Fleischman tells them how to evaluate information on topics such as climate change and encourages them to take action by charting a course that seems reasonable. He also discusses techniques to sway public opinion, such as sowing doubt, discrediting scientific studies, and hiding corporate funding of organizations promoting, for example, fossil fuels. The cascade of facts, observations, informed commentary, and sage advice may occasionally overwhelm. On the whole, though, thoughtful readers will appreciate this insightful, refreshing title’s broad scope, use of specific examples, and the many references to related books, documentaries, and online articles, lectures, and interviews. The appended How to Weigh Information section is particularly excellent. A Newbery Medal–winning writer, Fleischman notes that he is no trained scientist, but his exceptional ability to organize the information here and present it articulately makes him a notable citizen scientist.
December 11, 2014 - Nadine Rosevear, ISB
Hive Mind by Timothy Bradley c2014 - science fiction
Sidney Jamison was bored. Bored with a capital B. Studying the life cycle of frogs? Boring. Using commas? Boring. Being popular? Boring. But everything changed when Sidney was invited to attend Sci Hi, where students play Zero-G dodgeball and create eyeball-eating zombies. This year, the students at Sci Hi are studying Colony Collapse Disorder, which is killing millions of bees around the world. When Sidney and his friends find themselves inside a beehive, they must use everything they've learned to save the bees - and themselves - from a monster-sized hornet
The Bunker Diary by Kevin Brooks c2013 - realistic fiction
I can't believe I fell for it. It was still dark when I woke up this morning. As soon as my eyes opened I knew where I was.A low-ceilinged rectangular building made entirely of whitewashed concrete. There are six little rooms along the main corridor. There are no windows. No doors. The lift is the only way in or out. What's he going to do to me?What am I going to do?If I'm right, the lift will come down in five minutes. It did. Only this time it wasn't empty . . . Critical acclaim for Kevin Brooks:'A compulsive, atmospheric mystery.' Sunday Times'A masterly writer.' Mail on Sunday'Hugely readable . . . confoundedly gripping.' Independent on Sunday
The Compound by S.A Bodeen c2013 - science fiction
Eli and his family lived in an underground shelter they called the Compound for six years. They thought they were the only survivors of a nuclear attack, but when Eli learned that it was all a twisted experiment orchestrated by his tech-visionary father, he broke the family out. His father died trying to keep them imprisoned. Now, the family must readjust to life in the real world. Their ordeal has made them so famous, they must stay in hiding--everyone from fatalists preparing for doomsday to the tabloid media wants a piece of them. Even worse, their father's former adviser continues to control the company Eli and his twin brother are the heirs of. As Eli tries to determine who the family can trust, he learns the nightmare of the Compound--and his father's experiment--might not be over. The Fallout is S.A. Bodeen's highly anticipated, thrilling sequel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Jinx by Sage Blackwood c2013 - fantasy
In the Urwald, you don't step off the path. Trolls, werewolves, and butter churn-riding witches lurk amid the clawing branches, eager to swoop up the unwary. Jinx has always feared leaving the path--then he meets the wizard Simon Magus. Jinx knows that wizards are evil. But Simon's kitchen is cozy, and he seems cranky rather than wicked. Staying with him appears to be Jinx's safest, and perhaps only, option. As Jinx's curiosity about magic grows, he learns to listen to the trees as closely as he does to Simon's unusual visitors. The more Jinx discovers, the more determined he becomes to explore beyond the security of well-trodden paths. But in the Urwald, a little healthy fear is never out of place, for magic--and magicians--can be as dangerous as the forest. And soon Jinx must decide which is the greater threat. Sage Blackwood introduces a daring new hero for an innovative new world as Jinx is joined by friends, battles enemies, and discovers that life beyond--and even within--the forest is more complex than he can imagine, and that the Urwald itself needs him more than he could ever guess.
Soldier Dog by Sam Angus c2013 - historical fiction
With his older brother gone to fight in the Great War, and his father prone to sudden rages, 14-year-old Stanley devotes himself to taking care of the family's greyhound and puppies. Until the morning Stanley wakes to find the puppies gone. Determined to find his brother, Stanley runs away to join an increasingly desperate army. Assigned to the experimental War Dog School, Stanley is given a problematic Great Dane named Bones to train. Against all odds, the pair excels, and Stanley is sent to France.But innbsp; Soldier Dog by Sam Angus, the war in France is larger and more brutal than Stanley ever imagined. How can one young boy survive World War I and find his brother with only a dog to help?
The Twistrose Key by Tone Almhjell c2013 - fantasy
Something is wrong in the house that Lin's family has rented; Lin is sure of it. The clocks tick too slowly. Frost covers the flowerbed, even in a rain storm. And when a secret key marked "Twistrose" arrives for her, Lin finds a crack in the cellar, a gate to the world of Sylver. This frozen realm is the home of every dead animal who ever loved a child. Lin is overjoyed to be reunited with Rufus, the pet she buried under the rosebush. But together they must find the missing Winter Prince in order to save Sylver from destruction. They are not the only ones hunting for the boy this night. In the dark hides a shadow-lipped man, waiting for the last Winter Prince to be delivered into his hands. Exhilarating suspense and unforgettable characters await the readers of this magical adventure, destined to become a classic.
The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud c2013 - ghost story/horror
A sinister Problem has occurred in London: all nature of ghosts, haunts, spirits, and specters are appearing throughout the city, and they aren't exactly friendly. Only young people have the psychic abilities required to see-and eradicate-these supernatural foes. Many different Psychic Detection Agencies have cropped up to handle the dangerous work, and they are in fierce competition for business. In The Screaming Staircase, the plucky and talented Lucy Carlyle teams up with Anthony Lockwood, the charismatic leader of Lockwood & Co, a small agency that runs independent of any adult supervision. After an assignment leads to both a grisly discovery and a disastrous end, Lucy, Anthony, and their sarcastic colleague, George, are forced to take part in the perilous investigation of Combe Carey Hall, one of the most haunted houses in England. Will Lockwood & Co. survive the Hall's legendary Screaming Staircase and Red Room to see another day? Readers who enjoyed the action, suspense, and humor in Jonathan Stroud's internationally best-selling Bartimaeus books will be delighted to find the same ingredients, combined with deliciously creepy scares, in his thrilling and chilling Lockwood & Co. series. Praise for Screaming Staircase, The "This story will keep you reading late into the night, but you'll want to leave the lights on. Stroud is a genius at inventing an utterly believable world which is very much like ours, but so creepily different. Put The Screaming Staircase on your 'need to read' list!" -Rick Riordan "A pleasure from tip to tail, this is the book you hand the advanced readers that claim they'd rather read Paradise Lost than Harry Potter. Smart as a whip, funny, witty, and honestly frightening at times, Stroud lets loose and gives readers exactly what they want. Ghosts, kids on their own without adult supervision, and loads of delicious cookies." -Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal "Stroud shows his customary flair for blending deadpan humor with thrilling action, and the fiery interplay among the three agents of Lockwood & Co. invigorates the story (along with no shortage of creepy moments)." -Publishers Weekly "Three young ghost trappers take on deadly wraiths and solve an old murder case in the bargain to kick off Stroud's new post-Bartimaeus series. The work is fraught with peril, not only because a ghost's merest touch is generally fatal, but also, as it turns out, none of the three is particularly good at careful planning and preparation. A heartily satisfying string of entertaining near-catastrophes, replete with narrow squeaks and spectral howls." -Kirkus Reviews "...Stroud writes for a younger audience in book one of the Lockwood & Co. series and delivers some chilling scenes along the way." -Booklist
The Alchemyst War by John Seven c2014 - science fiction
When their parents, two temporal researchers who travel through time to document history, are transferred to 16th-century Prague, Dawk and Hype hardly expect to find themselves in the middle of an alchemical mystery. In fact, the new, boring job is meant to be a punishment for Dawk and Hype's bad behavior at their last temporal post. The two teenagers are from the 25th century--how could medieval Prague compare? But when they meet a man who claims he can turn metal into gold, Dawk and Hype find out that Prague holds deeper secrets.
The Key that Swallowed Joey Pigza by Jack Gantos c2014 - humour
The fifth and final book in the groundbreaking Joey Pigza series brings the beloved chronicle of this wired, wacky, and wonderful boy to a crescendo of chaos and craziness, as everything goes topsy-turvy for Joey just as he starts to get his feet on the ground. With his dad MIA in the wake of appearance-altering plastic surgery, Joey must give up school to look after his new baby brother and fill in for his mom, who hospitalizes herself to deal with a bad case ofpostpartum blues. As his challenges mount, Joey discovers a key that could unlock the secrets to his father's whereabouts, a mystery that must be solved before Joey can even hope that his broken family might somehow come back together-if only it doesn't pull him apart first.
The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher c2014 - mystery
Fatal attraction, primal fear, survival in the forest: From the author of the Printz Honor Book STOLEN, the highly anticipated thriller about deadly games played in the dark. Ashlee Parker is dead, and Emily Shepherd's dad is accused of the crime. A former soldier suffering from PTSD, he emerges from the woods carrying the girl's broken body. "Gone," he says, then retreats into silence. What really happened that wild night? Emily knows in her bones that her father is innocent -- isn't he? Before he's convicted, she's got to find out the truth. Does Damon Hilary, Ashlee's charismatic boyfriend, have the answers? Or is he only playing games with her -- the kinds of games that can kill?
The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry c2014 - mystery
Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy whos owned her heart as long as she can remember--even if he doesnt know it--her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judiths passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last.
The Finisher by David Baldacci - fantasy
#1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci as you've never seen him before. Why would Quentin Herms flee into the Quag? There was nothing in the Quag except certain death. Vega Jane has never left the village of Wormwood. But this isn't unusual -- nobody has ever left the village of Wormwood. At least not until Quentin Herms vanishes into the unknown. Vega knows Quentin didn't just leave -- he was chased. And he's left behind a very dangerous trail of clues that only she can decode. The Quag is a dark forest filled with terrifying beasts and bloodthirsty Outliers. But just as deadly are the threats that exist within the walls of Wormwood. It is a place built on lies, where influential people are willing to kill to keep their secrets. Vega is determined to uncover the truth -- but the closer she gets, the more she risks her life. With The Finisher , master storyteller David Baldacci conjures a thrilling, imaginative world where things are as wrong as wrong can be -- and introduces us to an unforgettable heroine who must think fast, look close, and defy all odds in her fight to do what's right.
The Forbidden Stone by Tony Abbott - Fantasy c2014
Grades 5-8
A secret past can destroy the future It all begins when Wade Kaplan receives a strange, coded email from his uncle Henry, shortly before the old man's sudden and suspicious death. He sets off for Germany to attend the funeral with his father, Roald, and his three friends Darrell, Lily, and Becca, only to discover that Uncle Henry left them yet another baffling message that they suspect is the key to figuring out how and why he died. The message leads to a clue, which sends them to a dark and creepy family tomb. The more clues they discover, the farther they travel down a treacherous path toward an ancient, guarded secret. Soon, they are in a breathless race across the globe, running for their lives as a ruthless shadow organization chases them around every corner. Their only hope of saving themselves--and the world that they know--is to find twelve magical relics from a hidden past that will unlock the Copernicus Legacy. The Forbidden Stone is the beginning of Tony Abbott's epic new series, a thrilling adventure packed with puzzles, intrigue, and action.
December 3, 2014 - Nadine Rosevear, ISB
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, c2014 - autobiography/memoir
From Booklist
Grades 5-10. The young reader’s edition of Malala Yousafzai’s 2013 memoir for adults loses none of its power in its transition to a new audience. At times earnest and somber, at others irreverent and playful, the 17-year-old details her experiences as an advocate for education in Pakistan—especially for women—both before and after she became a target of the Taliban. Although her efforts to attend school, and the subsequent attack she endured, make for a powerful story, Yousafzai writes just as vividly about her daily life as a child in Pakistan. As young readers draw parallels between their own lives and the everyday experiences of Yousafzai and her friends, they’ll gain invaluable perspective on a country so often stigmatized by the media. Yousafzai’s fresh, straightforward voice creates an easily read narrative that will introduce a slew of younger readers to both her story and her mission.